AKO Apparel

Filipino Events

2011-08-24T15:48:00.000-07:00

So far it has been a great show season for Island Blue...

Vallejo, CA: Pista Sa Nayon – June 4, 2011
Sacramento, CA: Filipino Fiesta – June 5th 2011
Oceanside, CA:Filipino Cultural Celebration - June 11, 2011
Vallejo, CA: Adobo Festival - July 7&9, 2011
Delano, CA: Philippine Weekend – July 30&31, 2011
San Diego CA: Philippine Cultural Arts Festival - August 6&7, 2011
Stockton, CA: Barrio Fiesta - August 13&14, 2011

Upcoming Shows
San Pedro, CA: FPAC – Sept 10&11, 2011
San Diego, California: FilAm Fest – October 1st, 2011
Las Vegas, NV: Kababayan Fest – November 12th, 2011

New AKO Apparel still in the works.
Thanks everyone for your support.

Filipino Shows this weekend in Northen Calfornia.

2011-06-01T17:32:00.000-07:00

Ako Apparel/Island Blue Apparel will be @The Vallejo Pista Sa Nayon Filipino Festival Saturday June 4th. Come visit us if your in the area!

We will also be @The Sacramento Filipino Festival the following Sunday June 5th! See you there!

2011

2011-03-11T14:58:00.000-08:00

This year Ako Apparel will be reprinting all 1991 and up DarkSide Products shirts as well as new AKO/DSP designs to celebrate our 20th anniversary!

No new Filipino designs will be released as Ako Apparel, all new Filipino shirts will be under the Island Blue Apparel. DarkSide Products will be following our old school b-boy/hip hop traditional designs, while Ako Apparel will take on a bmx/skate look.

The Ako Apparel "Me, Myself and I" collection will be out soon. We will be releasing a new shirt with limited runs every few weeks. The first set of DarkSide Products reprints will be all "the black and white" old school graph designs by local old school artist.

Stay tuned because this will be an exciting year for us as we take this step into the New Year with a new direction.

Billionaire- Travie McCoy Ft. Bruno Mars (Cover) -Kesha Lee sporting Ako Apparel!

2010-06-14T22:58:00.000-07:00

We found this on YouTube.com. Thanks Kesha Lee for sporting n rocking Ako Apparel! Much love girl n keep doing your thing! Love your cover of Billionaire. Thas like my new favorite song so it's cool to hear your cover of it! Everyone check out our Kesha Lee on youtube page. http://www.youtube.com/user/keshialee

Cop AKO @ the 5for$10 in Mira Mesa

2010-05-25T00:13:00.000-07:00

You want Ako gear now? Head on down to Mira Mesa and hit up the 5for$10 store by the Roberto's Mexican joint. They have ALL of our remaining (last seasons) stock. Come check it out

9331 Mira Mesa Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92126

(858) 578-5158

We're Still Here...

2010-05-25T00:07:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since our last update n post. But we just wanted to let you (our loyal fans) that we are still here. We are working on new merchandise and it's taking longer than we expected. But we are the designers ourselves. We don't fish out our concepts for design firms to create for us. We do it all, so it's a detail oriented process for us. We nit pick on the littlest things because we want to put out designs YOU will be proud to sport. So bare with us on this little transition that we are going through, but we promise we are still here and we will be back soon stronger than ever...

D.o.C. Auditions this Sunday! January 17th

2010-01-15T01:21:00.000-08:00

D.o.C. Definition of Creativity Auditions

Sunday, January 17, 2010

California Ballet School

4819 Ronson Court

San Diego, CA 92111

2 PM Registration Auditions start @ 2:30 (Please wear non-marking tennis shoes. Ages: 18 and over Dress to impress. Headshot and dance resume a plus!!!)

Definition of Creativity is predominantly a hip-hop dance company that fuses elements of lyrical, jazz, salsa, and bachata. D.o.C. Dancers have worked with artist such as: Shakira, Busta Rhymes, Beyonce, Q-tip, T-pain, Billy Crawford, and Carlos Santana. Also gigs such as: Cirque Du Soleil Viva Elvis, Super Bowl, Choreographer’s Carnival, Bonnie Story, Feature film Fame, and Wowowee to name a few.

For more information contact Kris:

Phone: (619) 573-3148

Email: kbabao@hotmail.com

Associated with Ooh La La Dance Company Rumba Entertainment AKO Apparel / Darkside Products

Look out here it comes! All out sale coming!

2010-01-15T01:06:00.000-08:00

An all out sale on EVERYTHING is about to hit. Once we get the inventory count this weekend the sale will hit sometime next week or possibly the end of the weekend! Everything will be blown out. We're getting rid of last season/years line. We're in the works for some new sh-- to come out. So keep checking the site we're for the ALL OUT sale!

-Chris Haider

Cyber Monday has come and gone!

2009-12-01T00:08:00.000-08:00

Well don't say I didn't keep reminding you about Cyber Monday. Now it's in the bag, and if you got to it than you got a great deal. We had the best deal out there compared to our competitors. If you got in on it, you came up. If not, maybe next time! Anyways Happy Holidays from Ako Apparel!

Official Marlon Dane Tees!

2009-11-30T04:02:00.000-08:00

It's up for sale on Ako Apparel, The official Marlon Dane tee! If you live in SD then you know this man right here, one of SD's finest! Always reppin SD and his Pinoy heritage to the fullest! Now rep him with the Official Marlon Dane tee!

Forget Black Friday, Cyber Monday is here!

2009-11-30T03:51:00.001-08:00

Ako Apparel has decided not to jump on the band wagon of the Black Friday theme or Brown Friday, whatever you wanna call it. So instead, this Monday (today Nov. 30th) we are throwing a "Cyber Monday!" Where ALL our stock is only $10!!!!!!! Better jump on it before the clock strikes midnight!

Check out the New stuff we got in? The Official Ako Apparel Marlon Dane Tees! and AKO SnS in Ladies Bella and Youth sizes!

November is AKO Apparel's 1 Year Anniversary!

2009-10-09T03:21:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder to you all. Next month is our 1 year anniversary. We don't know what we plan on doing for that month in regards to our 1 year. But we'll keep you informed. One of the ideas we have floated around to each other (Arbel and I) is that for the whole month of November if we see you out wearing an Ako Apparel we will give you a coupon to redeem online for a free shirt of your choice, just as an appreciation for your support. BUT again, that's just one of the ideas floating around between us owners right now. It might or might not happen. You'll find out in November what we plan on doing...

Limited quantity on all shirts!

2009-10-09T03:18:00.000-07:00

Due to the PIFA and FilAM events our inventory has dwindled a little so availability is day to day. No worries folks we will be printing more to fill missing quantities in our inventory. I have finished logging our inventory count (which I finally finished up today) onto our online store so we're all up to date online and in our books. BUT like I said earlier, no worries we will be printing more to fill sold out sizes. Thank you for your patience...

Pics of AKO Apparel's hat will be up soon

2009-10-09T03:15:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay folks, just been busy and haven't had time to getting those pics up of our first hat. But I promise that I'll work on getting pics up by this weekend and hopefully have them available on the website for purchase this weekend as well. Just bare with me, it's been a really busy past 4 weeks.

FilAM was a great turn out for Ako Apparel

2009-10-04T14:09:00.000-07:00

FilAM turned out to be a great showing for Ako Apparel. Arbel ran the booth while Chris was out due to prior engagement. But with just Arbel running the booth Ako Apparel managed a good showing and got a lot of props from the people.

Chris would like to apologize to those asking about the online store not carrying items they saw at PIFA. It was a crazy week after the PIFA event in getting inventory recounted and not knowing if we were going to be doing FilAM to the last minute decision to do FilAM to getting shirts printed to fill quantities sold out from the PIFA event. Real hectic week. But it was all worth it doing the FilAM event. And Chris has made it his top priority to update the website this week so people can order the new designs online.

Thank you to Miguel and Liz from FilAM for helping us get a booth at the last minute. We promise next year we will be registered on time.

Thank you for all who came out to show their support for Ako Apparel! Thank you to FilAM for having us out, we look forward to doing more FilAM shows.

Got Hats?

2009-09-28T14:04:00.000-07:00

Ako Apparel debut it's first hat @ the PIFA show. Pics of the hat will be up soon on the blog and will be available for order online this week! Thas what's up.

Sorry for the price glitch...

2009-09-28T13:41:00.000-07:00

As we were doing maintenance on our online store last night we didn't realize the prices all defaulted to $20 til this morning. I've managed to correct the prices so now all is back to the correct prices. We apologize for the glitch...it's all good now! So please come back and shop.

NEW SNS's Are Here...

2009-09-27T21:58:00.000-07:00

Our most popular design is back in full force. Reppin at PIFA this weekend! Ladies were digging the purple laker SnS. We will make more for you to cop.

At PIFA we even saw a bootleg of our SD Sun n Stars shirts. All we got to say to those biters is that biters will be eaten..."Earn Your Keep" son! Thas right thas you "Strap Clothing" aka "Bootleg Clothing!"

PIFA Weekend Was A Success

2009-09-27T21:54:00.001-07:00

Thank you for all that came by our booth to check out our gear and purchasing some of our gear. We got a lot of great feed back from people, ladies especially. Who told us straight out that we NEED WOMEN'S clothes! They are absolutely right. And that is what we will work at getting out in the next month. A women's and children's line.

Again thank you all for your support this weekend!

And a big thanks to Deep Rooted Threads for sharing a booth with us!

StudioFX Reppin @ '09 World of Dance in San Diego

2009-09-02T21:34:00.000-07:00

Here is the vid of Studio FX kids reppin it at World of Dance. Their routines are getting more and more fresh. It's awesome seeing these kids develop and get better and better with each show. I expect these kids to compete soon and one day see them on ABDC. That's what's up!

Summers really over and so is our Sales prices!

2009-09-02T11:49:00.000-07:00

I warned you all about the summer ending and with it our sales prices. Well now that time has come. ALL items revert back to regular prices. If you missed getting one of our products at the sales price, well you missed it. Sorry. Now you have to pay regular price. I did warn you all of the ending sales prices so don't be so surprised.

Again, like Haider's blogged before, if you live in San Diego you can get discounted AKO Apparel Sun N Stars shirts at the 5for$10 store in Mira Mesa. Out of staters sorry you're out of luck.

Must I remind you?

2009-08-19T01:24:00.000-07:00

Summer is ALMOST over! Which also means that our "summer sale" is also coming to an end. We already cleared out our SNS stock in order to make room for the new ones coming in a few short weeks. The rest of our inventory is still in stock so get yours before the summer ends!

A glimpse of the new SNS shirt colors coming soon!

2009-08-19T01:18:00.001-07:00

A glimpse of the three new shirt colors that will be coming out soon!

REMINDER end of summer sale is counting down!

2009-08-07T14:23:00.000-07:00

Only a few more weeks until sales prices disappear! Starting September 1st prices go back up to regular prices! Just a reminder to you all! So cop what you can while you can. But don't worry Ako Apparel items sold in the 5for$10 will remain as they are, as we don't carry those exclusive items on our site.

More SD Sun N Stars to come soon! We promise!

2009-08-07T14:09:00.000-07:00

Our #1 selling design, the SD Sun N Stars is currently out of stock on our site. BUT NO WORRIES, we will be getting new and exclusive ones soon, back for sale on our site. Just to get you a little excited, there will be two new colors to come out soon. Two "throwback" colors...Ch_rg_rs and P_dr_s (hint: buy two vowels) to be exact. We'll let you know when it's here!

But if you want a SD SnS shirt now you can go to the 5for$10 store in Mira Mesa. They sell exclusive SD SnS shirts only made for that store. You can't buy the SD SnS shirts they sell on our site, you can ONLY get it at 5for$10 store. They come in Red, Blue, and Black with Yellow sun and stars. Again exclusively sold only at 5for$10 store in Mira Mesa, so go get it if you want one now!

Randam Luck "You Will Never Be" video

2009-08-07T00:31:00.001-07:00

I know I know we late posting this up. Sorry. But yea our boy Randola and Randam Lucks new vid check it. Ako Apparel and Armory Survival Gear all in that son! Much thanks to Randola for reppin our gear and Stadi! yea son thas what I'm talkin about...universal! We want everyone to sport our gear! Right now our designs are geared to Pinoys but eventually our designs will transcend to a more universal design to where everyone of all race and color can sport our gear! Thas the goal! We don't hate or discriminate now check out the vid...

NO WORRIES more Sun N Stars to come @ the 5 for $10 store!

2009-08-07T00:21:00.000-07:00

5 for $10 sold out of our Sun N Stars shirts. BUT no worries kids because they just ordered a new batch and in fact I believe they should have them up (if they don't already have them up). I have to confirm with Alix Ako because he handled that deal but I do believe they have them so all ya'll kids sportin our Sun N Stars shirts go tell your peeps that there are more @ 5 for $10. Come on! Ya'll kids sport Pinoy pride and SD pride with our SD Sun N Stars. You know it's hot. Everyone digs it! Again cop it at the 5 for $10 store on Mira Mesa Blvd across the way from Jack in the Crack! You know you want it!

Whilce Portacio "Fortress" shirts NOW 4 $ALE!

2009-08-07T00:14:00.001-07:00

I know I said I would have this up like last week but things have been busy on our end so here it is. Whilce Portacio's Fortress shirts. Come get it while they're hot. I know a lot of you are Whilce Portacio fans...so I'm calling out all you die hard comic fans to come check this shirt out. And keep lookin for updates cause we just might do a special batch (maybe only a dozen or two) of signed shirts by Whilce himself...these will be a collectors items folks so be on the look out in the next few weeks. Keep checking our site for updates on that...now this isn't set in stone, but it could happen.

Whilce Portacio's Fortress shirts will be available soon!

2009-07-30T17:27:00.001-07:00

Whilce Portacio's (soon to be released comic book) Fortress made a debut at this years Comic Con International in San Diego. Ako Apparel printed 12 test shirts to see how his fans would react to it. Now these test shirts were not meant to be sold, but used as promo. BUT people wanted them and Whilce ended up selling some of the ones reserved for family. So now they will go up for sale in the next day or so on Ako Apparels online store! As of right now they only come in white, but in the next few months they will be available in black as well. This is Whilce is first Ako Apparel printed shirt so we are very excited to get this going. Did mention that the character "Fortress" is the first mainstream FILIPINO superhero? Now you guys might be saying well Whilce's "Grail" from the Wetworks series was Pinoy. Yes but Grail wasn't a lead character. Fortress will be about Fortress. Fortress is being debut into the mainstream comic world via Image Comics and the Image United series. I don't have the details of the release of the book, but once I get that info I will relay the info. Til then keep comic BOOKS alive! Because without the comic books these "Hollywood" movie studios have no foundation to go on.

Summer sale is ending at the end of August

2009-07-30T17:14:00.000-07:00

All sale items will revert back to regular prices at the end of August. So get what you can for the lower prices now! Summer is ending and so is our generosity...j/k. Thank you for all the support, enjoy the rest of the summer!

Earn Your Keep Tees Now Available!

2009-07-02T01:16:00.000-07:00

One of our newest designs that debut last month (but was not yet for sale) at the Philippine Fair is now available on our online store. More color variations will come in the near feature. For now, it's yellow on a black. Peep it!

Now you can follow AKO Apparel on Twitter

2009-07-01T00:26:00.001-07:00

AKO Apparel has joined the fad and now you can follow us on Twitter. So come and follow our tweets. www.twitter.com/akoapparel.

AKO Apparel Now Available at the 5 for $10 store in Mira Mesa!

2009-06-30T00:39:00.000-07:00

You can now find Sun N Stars, Pacquiao AKO Flag, and AKO City shirts in the 5 for $10 in Mira Mesa. Located @ 9331 Mira Mesa Blvd. So head on over to the 5 for $10 store in Mira Mesa to cop some AKO Apparel gear while supplies last!

Armory Survival Gear in PB now carries AKO Apparel!

2009-06-25T19:30:00.000-07:00

AKO Apparel can now be found in Armory Survival Gear in Pacific Beach! Armory will carry the Monogram, Pinoy AKO, and the AKO Flag designs. But be on the look out for more designs to hit Armory. This is a test run to see if peeps dig it. Much thanks to John Farin from the PB Armory who has been kind enough to give us the opportunity to get some exposure. If it's a hit AKO Apparel will continue to work with Armory and could release an Armory only exclusive gear. But that's down the road...for now let's take it day by day. So go down to Armory PB and cop some AKO Apparel shirts!

Yellow Sun N Stars SOLD OUT

2009-06-24T12:26:00.001-07:00

As of 6.24.2009 the Yellow version of our Sun N Stars shirt has SOLD OUT. When it is available again we will let you all know. Thank you all for those that have purchased our SNS design. You have all made it our #1 selling shirt. Be on the look out for more color schemes that we will be putting out of the SNS in the near future.

Newest Designs and Color Schemes From AKO Apparel

2009-06-24T12:09:00.000-07:00

I know I've been late to post up the new designs and color schemes but here they are!

AKO Apparel Reppin At Philippine Faire JUNE 6, 2009

2009-06-04T18:10:00.000-07:00

AKO Apparel will be @ Philippine Faire 2009, this Saturday, June 6. Come by and check us out! We're trying to come out strong at our very first show so come and support AKO Apparel.

Also, D.O.C. will be performing at the fair. They'll be giving away a few vouchers to receive a free shirt at our booth so definitely check out their performance.

Randy From Randam Luck Reppin AKO Apparel On Stage

2009-06-04T01:56:00.000-07:00

Much thanks to Randy frm Randam Luck for sportin and reppin' AKO Apparel to the fullest.

Check out other vids of Randam Luck @ RandamLuckTV on Youtube.

Studio FX performance at Petco Park 05/24/2009

2009-05-25T11:38:00.000-07:00

StudioFX kids performing @ Petco Park today!

2009-05-24T14:05:00.000-07:00

This Sunday the kids of StudioFX will be performing @ Petco Park during the Padres game today, sporting Ako Apparels signature StudioFX/Ako Apparel collabo shirt. Even the Padres macot will be performing with the group sporting a 6XL!!!! collabo shirt. Biggest size we've made so far. If you're @ the game be on the look out for the StudioFX performance. Much love to StudioFX's Vanessa, BBoy inVINCEible, n the whole StudioFX crew...have a great performance! Thanks for always lettin us get our name out there!

Screen captures of Adobo Nation where Ako Apparel gets some love from the camera

2009-05-18T00:18:00.000-07:00

Screen captures of Ako Apparel's first real TV exposure via Whilce Portacio. Actual pictures from the interview will come soon. Once Whilce has the chance to email us the pics we will post them up...

Whilce Portacio sketches Wolverine on a fans laptop.

2009-05-17T21:52:00.000-07:00

Whilce doing his thing and sketching a piece for a fan who apparently has been waiting for 20 years for this opportunity. Now he can't use his laptop anymore because it's now an art piece. Check out the shirt Whilce is wearing! Sporting Ako Apparel at the comic cons! Helps when the famous person you know is your brother. Thanks for reppin our gear bro!

Whilce Portacio to appear on Adobo Nation wearing Ako Apparel

2009-05-17T18:14:00.000-07:00

The Pinoy that opened the door for many of today's Pinoy comic book artists will appear on Adobo Nation on the TFC channel tonight. Whilce Portacio is an inspiration to alot of Pinoy artists and has even helped groom some of the famous Pinoy artist that you see in the industry today. Ako Apparel feels so blessed to be associated with such a talented artist and positive role model to all Filipinos. Again the show will air on Adobo Nation tonight on TFC.

D.O.C. Performance @ Ooh La La Dance Company One Year Aniversary 4.25.09

2009-05-07T02:15:00.000-07:00

Kris and Susie Salsa Dancing

2009-05-07T02:12:00.000-07:00

D.O.C. Cinco de Mayo Performance @ the Hilton 5.5.09

2009-05-07T02:11:00.000-07:00

Ako Apparel's first Pacquiao designed tee is here!

2009-05-04T05:14:00.000-07:00

A lot of friends and family have been asking [since the beginning] when we were going to make some Pacquiao inspired shirts. Well here is the first Pacquiao design of our AKO: Another Knock Out series. Go to our store to order yours today!

BBoy InVINCEible reppin Ako Apparel @ Studio 429 04/26/2009

2009-04-26T23:45:00.000-07:00

Before the Studio 429 B-Boy Battle...April 26, 2009. Ako Apparels very own BBoy InVINCEible bust it out and while representin' Ako Apparel.

Studio FX Kidz/SYDE FX @ Mt. Carmel Airbands

2009-04-26T23:42:00.000-07:00

Studio FX performance @ the Mt. Carmel Airbands on April 25, 2009. Thank you Studio FX for sporting and reppin' Ako Apparel.

StudioFX Kidz/SYDE FX @ FUSION 2009 PreShow

2009-04-26T23:40:00.000-07:00

April 19, 2009 Studio FX Kidz/SYDE FX performance at the FUSION 2009 PreShow UCSD Rimac

D.O.C. PERFORMING AT V18RANT @ DECO'S ON THURSDAY MARCH 19TH

2009-03-14T00:54:00.000-07:00

Kris Babao's D.O.C. [Definition of Creativity] dance crew will be performing at the V18RANT event at Decos on March 19th. They will all be sporting and reppin Ako Apparel. The ladies will debut the first Ako design for ladies.

So if you all are looking for a good time on a weeknight come on down to Deco's to mingle, dance to the music, have some drinks, but most importantly enjoy the performance by D.O.C.

RIP FRANCES MAGALONA

2009-03-11T01:54:00.000-07:00

Let us Pinoys remember Francis M with one of my favorite songs from his album Rap Is Francis M. Old school Francis M.

STUDIOFX - AKO APPAREL COLLABO SHIRT MOCK UP

2009-02-19T11:07:00.000-08:00

Exclusively only for StudioFX performances. This shirt is not for sale.

USA SEVENS 2009 STUDIOFX PETCO PARK PERFORMANCE

2009-02-19T10:59:00.000-08:00

VINCE PERFORMING WITH STUDIOFX REPPIN' AKO GEAR

2009-02-19T01:18:00.000-08:00

Vince's second ever performance with StudioFX at Petco Park Sunday, Febuary 15th. This time we got Vince and another member of his crew to sport special Ako Apparel / StudioFx collabo shirts. Thanks Vanessa for letting us get some exposure through StudioFX.

C-FORCE REPRESENTIN' BACK IN THE DAYZ!

2009-02-11T03:12:00.000-08:00

Winter Groove 1994

Maria Pajita Performing with C-Force & Darkside

VINTAGE DARKSIDE VIDEO

2009-02-11T02:36:00.001-08:00

Darkside video circa 1991

THE EARLY DAYS OF DOC: DEFINITION OF CREATIVITY

2009-02-11T02:28:00.000-08:00

Definition of Creativity circa 1990

REPPIN AKO APPAREL DURING RADIO TOURS IN GUAM

2009-02-11T02:20:00.000-08:00

In between teaching kids how to dance in Guam Kris and Ghia made numerous radio tours to radio stations in Guam.

Here they are at one radio stop reppin' Ako Apparel tees!

KRIS AND GHIA GET A WARM GREETING IN GUAM

2009-02-11T02:08:00.000-08:00

D.O.C. dancers Kris and Ghia recently visited Guam to teach dance to kids for two weeks or so. To Kris's surprise as he stepped off the plane he and Ghia were greeted by fans wearing specially made tees that said "Dance Drug Free with Kris Babao."

It's always a privilege to be able to teach kids anything and Kris & Ghia love to teach what they know best...dance.

SOME FRIENDS REPPIN AKO APPAREL

2009-02-03T01:48:00.000-08:00

MORE CHOREOGRAPHY BY KRIS BABAO

2009-02-03T00:32:00.000-08:00

This time Kris and Alee show us how it's done while sporting Ako Apparel "Sun N Stars" City Edition tees.

CHOREOGRAPHY BY AKO APPARELS OWN KRIS BABAO

2009-02-03T00:27:00.000-08:00

Britney Spears - Circus
Choreography By: Kris Babao Dance by: Ghia "Alee" Vicencio
[sporting a modified Ako Apparel tee]

OFFICIALLY SET TO LAUNCH IN SPRING 2009

2009-01-05T04:11:00.000-08:00

The official launch of Ako Apparel will be in the spring of 2009. With it's simple but classy designs Ako Apparel is looking to launch a serious campaign in '09 to capture the attention of it's people, the Filipino community.